l at her desk. She had a sandwich wra

phone buzze

e Cal

The office was mostly empty, just a few people

ered. "H

s small and wet. "My tummy

ad hurt" meant the cramps that

racia asked, keeping

macy. She said to wai

could be there in forty minutes. But she had a meeting

ootsteps on the carpet behind

ing with the CFO and two other suits, heading toward the c

Birdie kept talking, if she

he had to make Birdie sound like a nor

ghtly, pitching it so it

into the phone. "Don't be scare

line, there was silenc

Birdie

lter. Just for a fraction of

slightly toward her cubicle. His

ic phone case. "Daddy is right near the house. I'm calling h

ng for an au

ely. The CFO stopped wi

k. She could feel his gaze bur

said, sounding small a

girl. Dadd

s hammering so hard she thou

She stared at her black

cting the conversation. Daddy. So the husband was around.

oded his veins. He hated this imaginary

s?" the

it. His face hardened

go," he

thout another glance, but the

mediately texted her mother: Emerge

he three dots turn

r, an email hit

HR G

y Reminder - P

he work area. Family matters should not interfere with core business

mail. Her hands c

cruel. And it was d

of the hall. Bridger was in there. She could

ng a mother. He was punishin

ught. You want a war? I can take it. As long as you ne